An employment lawyer has criticised plans – under which immigrants would be required to pay a deposit upon entering the UK to introduce a security bonds system – designed to reduce the risk of entrants staying in the UK illegally.

Last week, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said: “In certain cases, when a visa applicant is coming from a high-risk country, in addition to satisfying the normal criteria the UK Border Agency would be able to request a deposit – a kind of cash guarantee. Once the visitor leaves Britain, the bond will be repaid.

“The amounts would need to be proportionate – we mustn’t penalise legitimate visa applicants who will struggle to get hold of the money.”

However, Adam Landy, associate in the immigration team at law firm Stevens and Bolton, said the proposals would prevent skilled professionals from being able to work in the UK: “Mr Clegg’s security bonds plan is likely to preclude some of the brightest and most highly skilled candidates from taking up roles here due to a lack of sufficient personal wealth.

“The proposals may serve to disadvantage the UK economy in cases where UK-based businesses cannot recruit their preferred candidate for a role in the UK because they do not hold the sufficient personal savings to meet the new requirements.”